Program Overview

Program Overview

Program Name

Business and Culture in English & Courses with Locals

Location

Valparaíso & Viña del Mar

Host University

Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez

The Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez (UAI) is a private institution with a modern campus located in the Metropolitana region of Viña del Mar. ISA students at the UAI will take courses through the International Program’s Office, which offers courses in Spanish language, culture and civilization, and Business courses in English. Students who possess an advanced Spanish proficiency level are eligible to enroll in courses with local Chileans in a variety of subjects.

The UAI was bestowed a "Triple Crown" award, which is in reason to its accreditation by the Association to Advanced Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the EuropeanQuality Improvement System (EQUIS) and the Association of MBA's (AMBA). The UAI is in the 1% of Business Schools in the world who have received this title. The UAI also holds the Chilean National Commission of Accreditation (CNAP) which is recognized by the Chilean Ministry of Education (Mineduc) and Superior Education Council (Consejo Superior de Educación).

Designed to expand your knowledge of the Spanish language and granting you the opportunity to enroll in courses with local Chileans, this program allows you to experience a typical and fully immersive semester abroad. This program requires an advanced or higher Spanish proficiency level to which you can choose from a wide range of courses that fall under the host university's curriculum. Considering the host university is AACSB accredited, this is the perfect program if you're interested in any business related courses in Spanish. All courses are taught at the Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez by local university professors. Please note that should you not wish to enroll in at minimum one course with locals, you will be required to enroll in the Business and Culture in English & Spanish Language program.

Semester + Semester Programs Available: You may participate in the Spring + Fall OR the Fall + Spring sessions of this program by selecting your two semesters of interest when submitting the initial ISA online application. For more information about this option, please contact your Chile Site Specialist.

*Eligibility

MINIMUM GPA

Students must have a minimum grade point average of 2.50.

MINIMUM ADMISSIONS PREREQUISITES

Students must have completed or tested out of a minimum of four semesters (six quarters) of college-level Spanish

What's Included

Comprehensive Advising and Support

Comprehensive Advising and Support

A team of helpful ISA staff members is here to support you through the entire study abroad process, from finding the perfect program through re-entry. The Program Advisors will help you choose your program based on your unique objectives. Once you’ve selected your program, you will work with your Program Manager on the application process as well as pre-departure forms and finances. Your Site Specialist will assist with academics, housing, visas, and city-living/cultural guidance.

In addition to individual advising, you will receive virtual resources to help prepare you for your time abroad. This includes the ISA Student Portal, which houses your program application, pre-departure forms/resources, and the online orientation. The online orientation is a pre-cursor to the on-site orientations and offers city-specific resources about living in your host city, communication, packing, diversity abroad, how to be academically successful, and more.

24-Hour Emergency

24-Hour Emergency

The ISA Health, Safety, and Security team facilitates an in-house on-call system with a U.S.-based employee and manager who are on-call and available in case of emergency 24-7.
ISA regular office hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:00am - 7:00pm and Friday, 7:00am - 5:00pm Central Time.

If you are a parent or student needing assistance in an emergency situation outside of the regular office hours, please call the ISA office at 512-480-8522 to access the ISA emergency contact information for that particular week. Students who experience an emergency while abroad will also have access to on-site staff 24-hour emergency assistance.

Comprehensive Health, Safety, and Security Support

Comprehensive Health, Safety, and Security Support

Health, Safety, and Security (HSS) for ISA students is jointly managed by our resident staff and HSS team. This team works to monitor risk at program locations, respond to any crises that may arise, and develop policies to further ensure the health, safety, and security of students abroad with ISA.

Airport Reception

Airport Reception

Ground transportation is provided from the airport as long as you arrive during the ISA designated arrival date and time and at the appropriate airport. Upon acceptance into your program, you will receive the “How to book your flight” form which outlines the specific details for airport reception.

Airport reception is not provided for Intensive Month or J-Term programs.

Visa Support

Visa Support

Your ISA Site Specialist will be available to help you with the visa process for your program country, if applicable. They will provide resources, guidance on necessary steps to obtain your visa, and deliver supporting visa application materials to you as needed.

Tuition at the Host University

Tuition at the Host University

Tuition and administrative fees at the host university are included in the program price. Classes are held at the host university and are taught by local and/or visiting faculty. Some classes will have additional fees that are not included in the program price.

Housing

Housing

Housing is guaranteed and included in the price of all ISA programs, with the exception of Pacific programs, in which housing is offered at an additional cost. Accommodation options will vary according to program site and session. For more details about ISA's housing options and applicable security deposits, please refer to the housing tab for your program of interest.

Meals and Laundry Service

Meals and Laundry Service

The amount of meals and possibility of laundry services vary per location. Meals and laundry services are provided with most homestays. For more details, please refer to the housing tab for your program of interest.

Bridging Cultures Program

Bridging Cultures Program

The Bridging Cultures Program (BCP) encompasses the ISA on-site orientation which will be delivered to you in the first few days of your time abroad. The BCP is designed to prepare you for a successful, positive, and rewarding experience that will influence the rest of your life. This is accomplished through introducing you to your host city’s culture and infrastructure as well as through goal setting, intercultural awareness, diversity and professional development activities.

Full-Time Resident Staff

Full-Time Resident Staff

The full-time resident staff is available to assist you with all aspects of your experience abroad. The resident staff provides support during official course registration and arranges the Bridging Cultures Program orientation, excursions, weekly meetings, cultural activities, and much more. Staff members are trained to ensure the well-being of each program participant and are dedicated to facilitating a positive and meaningful study abroad experience.

On-Site ISA Offices

On-Site ISA Offices

Most program locations have an on-site ISA office within the program city. The on-site offices provide you with an additional comfortable space in the city and serve as a common meeting place and resource center.

Internet Access

Internet Access

ISA Discovery Model

ISA Discovery Model

ISA programs facilitate learning and development through co-curricular activities. We rely on host universities to provide quality instruction in the classroom, but ISA is the main facilitator of learning outside of the classroom. Efforts to promote student learning are shaped by a teaching and learning framework we call the ISA Discovery Model.

According to this model, student learning and development is organized into five areas of discovery:
1. Intercultural, 2. Historical, 3. Sociopolitical, 4. Professional and 5. Environmental

Throughout the duration of your ISA program, we provide you with the opportunity to pursue these five areas of discovery through the BCP, excursions, cultural activities, and references to non-ISA sponsored events and opportunities.

Excursions

Excursions

Organized excursions are included with each program to complement the academic component of your abroad experience. These complementary experiences are designed to engage student learning outside of the classroom in the five areas of the Discovery Model. Transportation and guided tours are included, as well as hotel accommodations and breakfast during multi-day excursions. Additional optional excursions may be offered during each program that are not included in the program cost.

Excursions are not included for Intensive Month, J-Term, and some summer sessions.

Cultural Activities

Cultural Activities

The ISA program staff develops unique cultural activities custom-designed to invite you to experience the local color of your host city, while learning about the history and culture of your new surroundings. Speaking the native language with locals, tasting the regional cuisine, and partaking in the native traditions are only a few of the ways these cultural activities lead to full appreciation of the program city.

Insurance

Insurance

A Blanket Accident and Sickness Policy is included in the program and covers you during the official on-site period of the program. This is not an optional benefit; every ISA participant will be covered by this policy. A full description of coverage can be found on the ISA website.

We recommend that you maintain comprehensive health insurance while abroad. This is particularly important if you have any pre-existing conditions but is also beneficial if you have an injury or illness while abroad and require further treatment upon your return home. Please be sure to consult with your current insurance provider to confirm coverage policies while traveling abroad.

Official Transcript from the Host University

Official Transcript from the Host University

Upon completion of the ISA program, your host university will issue an official transcript with all coursework taken abroad. ISA's Academic Records Department will process and forward the official transcript to the appropriate office at your home university, and a photocopy will be sent to your permanent home address for your records. ISA will provide a cover letter to accompany the transcript with important academic information, including the host university's grading system and recommended U.S. letter grade equivalencies, translated course titles, and credit conversion recommendations.

Professional Development Toolbox

Professional Development Toolbox

The Professional Development Toolbox, available in the online orientation section of the student portal, will help you identify the skills and key competencies you have developed through your personal, academic, and cultural experiences. This toolbox helps you to articulate the transferable skills developed through study abroad in a way that shows potential employers or post-graduate universities the benefits our you will provide them as a direct result of your experience abroad.

Scholarship Opportunities

Scholarship Opportunities

As an ISA participant, you will have the opportunity to apply for scholarships or grants that can be applied directly to assist with your study abroad program. ISA offers over $1,000,000 in scholarships and grants each year. To see what opportunities are available, please visit the Support & Funding page.

Academics

Credits

Contact Hours

180 - 240

Recommended U.S. Semester Credits

12 - 16

Recommended U.S. Quarter Units

18 - 24

Academic Information

Course Selection

Students must enroll in 180 - 240 contact hours during their semester abroad. This program is open to students at the advanced Spanish proficiency level. Students are required to enroll in at least one course with locals and three to four additional courses of their choice. Students have the option of taking any course offered with international students through the Business and Culture in English & Spanish Language program. However, in order to optimize the academic rigor of this program, ISA strongly recommends that students enroll primarily in courses with locals.

Eligibility for courses may be subject to a placement exam and/or prerequisites.

The courses listed below are only a sampling of what the Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez offers. For a full list of course options, feel free to reference the Facultades page on the Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez's website.

Requests for sample syllabi can be made to the Chile Site Specialist.

Course Credit

Credits earned vary according to the policies of the students’ home institutions. According to ISA policy and possible visa requirements, students must maintain full-time enrollment status, as determined by their home institutions, for the duration of the program.

Per the Universidad Adolfo Ibañez, 45 contact hours is equivalent to 3 U.S. semester credits / 4 quarter units. Credit transfer is ultimately determined by the student's home university.

Course Level Recommendations

ISA offers course level recommendations for the courses listed below. Please note that the course level recommendations are based on unique course codes provided by the Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez (UAI). Courses offered at the UAI are coded according to the area of study and the level of the course content, which is related to the year of study. The first 3 letters of the code indicate the area of study, while the first number in the following 3 digit numeral indicates the year of study. Courses taken in the 1st and 2nd year are recommended as lower division, while courses taken in the 3rd and 4th year are recommended as upper division. These ISA recommendations are intended to facilitate the determination of course equivalencies by advisors and credential evaluators at participants' U.S. home institutions.

Language Placement and Recommendation

Enrollment in Spanish courses is determined by the results of a language placement exam administered by the Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez. Please note that your performance on the placement exam may not reflect the number of semesters of language instruction you've already completed at your home university.

Please note that there are no beginning level Spanish courses offered in this program.

Transcript Information

The transcript from the Universidad Adolfo Ibañez will reflect contact hours for each course listed below. Please be in touch with your home university regarding credit transfer for this program.

Certificate

Semester students attending the Universidad Adolfo Ibañez have the opportunity to receive one of three certificates: certificate in Latin American Studies, certificate in Latin American Studies with an honorable mention in Business, or Latin American Studies with an honorable mention in History & Culture. Should a student be interested in obtaining a certificate, they must express this in their pre-registration form. Questions regarding this certificate can be made to the Chile Site Specialist.

Online Courses

ISA does not recommend that students sign up for online courses through their host university. If enrolling in an online course is necessary for you to meet your degree requirements, you may only enroll in one online class. It is your responsibility to confirm with your home university that you will receive credit for online courses taken through your host university.

Courses

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Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez

Business and Culture in English &amp; Spanish Language with International Students

Course Disclaimer

Support & Funding

U.S. Team

Madeline Hume

Madeline Hume

Program Manager, Chile & Peru

Originally from rural Minnesota, Madeline earned her B.A in Political Science and Spanish Language from Kalamazoo “K” College in 2016. During her time at K, she first studied abroad in Santiago, Chile for a semester, then returned to write her thesis on youth political engagement in post-dictatorial Chile, solidifying her love for the region. When not thinking about Latin America, Madeline enjoys cooking, camping with her husband and two pups, and practicing yoga. Madeline believes in the importance of global travel and learning abroad because it broadens our horizons, and make us more passionate and empathetic humans.

VALPARAÍSO & VIÑA DEL MAR TEAM

Carolina Alarcon

Coordinator, UAI Programs, Chile

Carolina Alarcon

Coordinator, UAI Programs

Carolina was born in Valparaíso, but currently lives in the neighboring city of Quilpué. She studied Graphic Design at the Catholic University in Viña del Mar. She has applied her Graphic Designer eye towards materials for ISA programs since 2007, and in addition to this, is our Coordinator for our UAI programs. Carolina also works on freelance projects outside of ISA, by contributing to the audiovisual team at her church where she and her husband help set up Sunday services.

Lorna Arredondo

Student Services, Chile

Lorna Arredondo

Student Services

Lorna is a true local, born and raised in Quilpué, Chile, a suburb of Valparaíso. She studied Hotel and Restaurant Management at the Universidad de Valparaíso. Lorna got her first taste of international education while participating in a multicultural exchange with the organization "Youth With a Mission" in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She joined the ISA Chile team in 2006 and has found tremendous gratification working with international students. Lorna enjoys sharing the Chilean culture and language with others, as well as learning from others regarding their own culture and personal experiences. Lorna's hobbies include music, especially singing, and watching movies.

Lizette Arredondo Castillo

Director of ISA Chile Programs, Chile

Lizette Arredondo Castillo

Director of ISA Chile Programs

Paula Calderon Munoz

Service-Learning Coordinator, Chile

Paula Calderon Munoz

Service-Learning Coordinator

Paula was born in Viña del Mar, Valparaíso's neighboring city. She studied English Interpretation and Translation at Universidad de Playa Ancha in Valparaíso. Prior to joining ISA, she worked for the International Exchange Program at the Universidad Católica de Valparaíso as an assistant. She enjoys working with international students and helping them with anything they need.

Vanessa Cabello

Student Services, Chile

Vanessa Cabello

Student Services

Vanessa was born in Requinoa, and eventually moved to Valparaíso where she studied to be an English teacher at the Universidad de Viña del Mar. Her first opportunity working with international students was at the International Office at the UVM where she supported students during orientation week. This was when Vanessa discovered how amazing it was to collaborate with students from all over the world. Vanessa is excited to share her knowledge of her beloved country with ISA students and hopes that every student will have a memorable experience abroad. She loves to read, go camping, and spend time with her partner and her two beautiful cats. In the future, Vanessa hopes to continue traveling throughout Chile and the rest of the world!

Funding Your ISA Program

As an ISA participant, you have the opportunity to apply for scholarships and grants that can be applied directly to assist with your study abroad programs. ISA offers over $1,000,000 in scholarships and grants each year. To see what opportunities are available, please visit the Scholarships and Grants page.

Housing

Living in ISA housing will give you the opportunity to experience aspects of the Chilean lifestyle that are inaccessible to the average visitor to Chile. With an open-mind and flexibility, the experience of living in another culture can be highly rewarding.

We strive to match your housing preferences with our available accommodations; however, housing preference requests cannot be guaranteed.

Homestay

Host families are best if you are seeking full linguistic and cultural immersion during your time abroad. Each host family has been carefully selected by ISA's resident staff in order to best accommodate your needs and to ensure a comfortable living situation. Homestays will provide breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week and laundry service once a week. You will typically have your own bedroom but will likely have another ISA student of the same gender as a housemate.

Pension

While similar to a homestay, pensiones are larger homes that provide housing to multiple students, international and local students alike. This option includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week and laundry service once per week. This is a great option should you be seeking a more independent experience and would prefer to not live with a nuclear family.

Independent Housing

You may elect to secure housing independently. If you select this option, you will receive a discount equal to the housing portion of the program price.

Excursions

THERE’S MORE TO DISCOVER WITH ISA

Santiago

A perfect introduction to ISA and Chile, you will begin your program on a three-night/four-day excursion in the capital city of Santiago. You will get to visit landmarks, such as La Moneda, Cerro Santa Lucía, the Plaza de Armas & Catedral de Santiago, and the Central Market & Los Domínicos.

Santiago

A perfect introduction to ISA and Chile, you will begin your program on a three-night/four-day excursion in the capital city of Santiago. You will get to visit landmarks, such as La Moneda, Cerro Santa Lucía, the Plaza de Armas & Catedral de Santiago, and the Central Market & Los Domínicos.

Historical Tour in Santiago

You will return to the capital of Santiago to discover captivating details of Chile's history before, during, and after the Military Coup of 1973. You will take this opportunity to engage and learn about Chile's political trials that has left such an important mark in their overall identity. During this excursion you will visit the Cementerio General, Villa Grimaldi, and Museo de la Memoria y los Derechos Humanos.

Historical Tour in Santiago

You will return to the capital of Santiago to discover captivating details of Chile's history before, during, and after the Military Coup of 1973. You will take this opportunity to engage and learn about Chile's political trials that has left such an important mark in their overall identity. During this excursion you will visit the Cementerio General, Villa Grimaldi, and Museo de la Memoria y los Derechos Humanos.

Playas del Norte

Horcón is a small fishing village just north of Viña del Mar and is often times considered an artisan's colony. On this day trip, you will find crafts of all types and also have the opportunity to sample delicious seafood empanadas. After an afternoon of treasure hunting, you will then have a chance to relax on the beautiful beaches of Zapallar.

Playas del Norte

Horcón is a small fishing village just north of Viña del Mar and is often times considered an artisan's colony. On this day trip, you will find crafts of all types and also have the opportunity to sample delicious seafood empanadas. After an afternoon of treasure hunting, you will then have a chance to relax on the beautiful beaches of Zapallar.

Pomaire &Isla Negra

Pomaire, one of Chile's most famed centers for artisans and crafts, is a great place to not only encounter high quality clay pottery, but also for tasting some of the more typical Chilean dishes.

Interested in the Chilean poet, Pablo Neruda? You will make a pit stop in Isla Negra to visit his Pacific Ocean home and grave site.

Pomaire &Isla Negra

Pomaire, one of Chile's most famed centers for artisans and crafts, is a great place to not only encounter high quality clay pottery, but also for tasting some of the more typical Chilean dishes.

Interested in the Chilean poet, Pablo Neruda? You will make a pit stop in Isla Negra to visit his Pacific Ocean home and grave site.

Pucón * Optional

As a result of its natural beauty, Pucón is a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts and a perfect place for peaceful relaxation. During this optional weekend excursion, ISA will coordinate fun activities and tour of this authentic city. You will have an abundance of activities to choose from, including river rafting, visiting a volcano, mountain biking, taking a dip in some hot springs, and much more.

Pucón

As a result of its natural beauty, Pucón is a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts and a perfect place for peaceful relaxation. During this optional weekend excursion, ISA will coordinate fun activities and tour of this authentic city. You will have an abundance of activities to choose from, including river rafting, visiting a volcano, mountain biking, taking a dip in some hot springs, and much more.

Cultural Activities in Chile

The ISA on-site team encourages you to explore the city and culture of Valparaiso. The team facilitates this by offering a robust calendar of events that showcases what makes Valparaiso special.

These activities vary each term, and previous offerings have included historical tours, language exchanges with local students, tours of Neruda's Valparaiso home and the art museum, Mueso Fonck.